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Soccer Falls to Portland State, 3-1

EUGENE - In its penultimate non-conference game this season, the University of Oregon women's soccer team squandered an early lead on Portland State and eventually fell 3-1 at Pape' Field.

The Ducks got on the scoreboard first at 29:12 on the first career goal by freshman midfielder Carlie Ashcraft as the Salt Lake City, Utah native connected from 10 yards out left center to the left side of the net. Freshman midfielder Cristan Higa claimed her second career assist on the score.

However, Portland State answered less than two minutes later at 31:55 when a corner kick by Megan Plinski rebounded off the Duck defense in front of Karly Larsen who immediately booted in in 17 yds right center.

In the second period, after nearly 20 minutes of scoreless action, the Vikings benefitted from a fluke Duck miscue. Off an Oregon foul just out outside the box, PSU's Jessica Shadle scored on an indirect kick from 28 yards out right center that senior goalkeeper Sarah Peters had apparently wrapped up before she looked up too soon, and the ball slowly rolled out of her grasp into the goal. Portland State struck again 27 seconds later when Peters charged out from the vulnerable goal, and Carly Sawhill headed it in from 12 yards center into the left corner of the goal.

Oregon's Ashcraft led both teams in shots (3) and shots on goal (2), and Larsen paced the Vikings in shots (2).

'It's a frustrating situation to get a lot of chances and not connect,' Oregon women's coach Bill Steffen said, 'then the other team gets a fortunate mistake, and we paid the price for it. Soccer can be a very cruel game. We have to shake it off and get ready for a big test Sunday at Portland, one of the nation's top teams.'

The Ducks next travel north to face the No. 5-ranked Pilots, Sunday for a noon game at Merlo Field that will be shown live by Action Sports Cable Network and again tape delayed on Wednesday (10/9, 8 p.m. PT) and Thursday (10/10, 9:30 a.m. PT). Go to their web site (www.ascn.tv) for a complete list of affiliates in Oregon, Washington and California.